Bellingham Cyclist Injured After Slamming Into Side Of Truck

A Bellingham woman was injured when she ran into the side of a truck while riding her bicycle Tuesday, Nov. 17. The collision occurred about 10:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of Ellis Street.

The driver of a Toyota Tacoma truck was on Gladstone Street preparing to make a left turn onto Ellis when he saw a bicycle with a headlight riding nearby, said Mark Young, spokesman for Bellingham Police Department. He waited for that bicycle to pass, didn’t see any other cyclists, and began making the left turn.

His truck was then hit from the side by a second bicyclist who did not have a headlight on the front of her bike, Young said. She was not wearing a helmet or reflective clothing, he said.

Emily Barry, 19, fell to the ground and was transported to St. Joseph Hospital, where she was treated and released.

The driver of the truck was not cited, nor will he face any charges, Young said. He was not injured.

Barry was cited for not having a front headlight on her bicycle at night.

Although not required by law, bicyclists should wear helmets and reflective clothing because they drastically reduce the chance of injury, Young said.